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The proportion of oncologists with the data capability to analyze drug costs and outcomes is expected to rise from 11% now to 40% two years from now, according to a survey by Reimbursement Intelligence and the Cancer Business Center Summit. Half of the oncologists, hospital directors and data administrators surveyed said they track adverse events, 67% said the cost of chemotherapy drugs is the most important data point to track and 65% said overall drug cost is most important.

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Among six medical specialties, only primary care physicians ranked cost as a key consideration in prescribing drugs. Oncologists, cardiologists, neurologists, dermatologists and pulmonologists ranked cost much lower in the CMI/Compas survey of 800 physicians.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network is developing an algorithm to compare the costs and benefits of cancer treatments based on price, effectiveness, safety, quality and consistency of clinical data. The organization expects to launch the tool in October.

Strong organizational leadership and meaningful incentive structures are the top drivers of success in the move to value-based care, according to primary care doctors surveyed by Zolo Healthcare Solutions. Respondents also flagged the importance of chronic disease case management tools, patient education and more.

A study showed people who were taking statin drugs when they were hospitalized for seasonal flu were twice as likely to survive as patients who were not taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs. Researchers said that they were surprised by the strength of the data and that there are few downsides to giving patients statins.